2019 NFL Draft: Top 10 Tight End Prospects
By Liam McKeone
This year’s crop of tight ends is unusually strong, and may be the most well-stocked skill position on offense this year. There are rumors swirling that a tight end might go in the top 10 for the first time since Lions legend Eric Ebron in 2014. The top two prospects are clear, but after that things get interesting. Here are the top 10 tight end prospects in this year’s draft.
1. T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
Hockenson has all the makings of a true dual-threat tight end. He has the prerequisite size and competitive edge to be a force in the run game while using his above-average athleticism to make plays in the passing game. He needs to work on his route running to become a truly great pass-catcher, but he”ll make an instant impact wherever lands. His ceiling is dependent on how far he can come as a receiver, but Hockenson will start off his career as a versatile player who will give his team plenty of options on offense. Top 10 might be a bit high for a tight end, but if it’s going to be anyone, you truly cannot go wrong with Hockenson.
2. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Hockenson’s running mate at Iowa, Fant is a similar caliber of athlete who doesn’t yet have the size to make a difference on the line of scrimmage from day one. Fant showed a bit more pass-catching upside than Hockenson thanks to his explosiveness and speed, but isn’t a polished route-runner and, like many young players, over-relied on his athleticism at times in the pass game. Once Fant puts on some bulk, he’ll be more effective as a blocker, but generally projects to be a receiving tight end who can block, as opposed to a classic dual threat like Hockenson. Fant could develop into a very dangerous tight end, but his deficiency in the run game slots him below Hockenson.
3. Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
Smith is a versatile tight end who could quickly become a force in the pass game. He was a key part of Alabama’s offense and moved all over the field, becoming a threat in every spot they put him in as he posted 44 catches for 710 yards last season, with an average of 16.1 yards per catch. His size will prevent him from ever becoming a dominant blocker in the NFL, but his athleticism and physicality indicates he could become serviceable in that department. It will take Smith a bit to acclimate to NFL-level physicality and he must work on his route-running, but he has the instincts and versatility to become a valuable piece for whoever picks him up.
4. Kahale Warring, San Diego State
Warring needs a lot of work to become an NFL contributor, but his upside is enormous. He’s a 6’5″, 250 pound beast who played exactly one year of high school football before heading to San Diego State. Needless to say, his technique in both the run and pass game needs a lot of work. But he’s a high-caliber athlete who has exhibited good instincts given his lack of experience. If he develops as projected, he’ll be a consistent target who’s dangerous with the ball and dominate the line of scrimmage- pretty much everything you want from a tight end. It may take a few seasons, though.
5. Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
Sternberger was a huge piece of the Aggies offense in his only year as a starter; his numbers (48 catches for 832 yards and 10 TDs) speak for how effective he can be as a receiver. He’s a mismatch in the pass game who can outmuscle smaller defenders and will be able to stretch the field like few other tight ends in the league. He may not ever become a consistent blocker and his production coming in one season should raise eyebrows, but Sternberger’s upside as a receiver is tantalizing enough that he’s worth a mid to late second round pick.
6. Dawson Knox, Ole Miss
Knox is this year’s extremely athletic prospect who has very little production to back up his potential. Occasionally, he would make a jaw-dropping play on the field, the type that causes scouts to drool. But most of the time, he was just an athlete playing football; he can outrun linebackers and go up to get the ball, but he can’t block to save his life. If someone brings Knox along slowly but surely, he’s a good enough athlete that he can make an impact. But it’ll take a lot of work, more than your average mid-round prospect.
7. Josh Oliver, San Jose State
Oliver is a solid prospect that won’t wow anyone with his play, but exhibited consistency in his execution while at San Jose State. He’s a good enough athlete that he brings upside to the pass-catching element of his game and has a huge catch radius, but he’s not fast enough to be a threat up the seams and will have to improve his route-running to create separation against defenders at the highest level. He competes in the run game, but doesn’t yet have the strength to be a force in that area at the pro level. Oliver is good in a lot of areas and elite in none; he could become a steady contributor in a year or two, even if he’ll never be a game-breaker. He’s worth a mid-round pick for a team in need of tight end depth.
8. Drew Sample, Washington
Sample makes his money in the run game as a dominant blocker able to control his side of the line with size and strength. He was rarely used in Washington’s passing game, so his upside in that department is a big question mark. But he’s a good athlete who showed off steady hands when he was thrown the ball. His tenacity as a run blocker should earn him playing time early in his career; if he can evolve beyond that is a question of how he can utilize his size, rather than harnessing his relatively average athleticism. The worst-case scenario for Sample is a two-down tight end who can help run the ball in a big way.
9. Kaden Smith, Stanford
Smith has a reasonably high floor but a low ceiling as a prospect. He steadily produced at Stanford and showed some skill in the pass game while giving effort in the run game. He won’t need to put on much, if any, bulk to compete at the line of scrimmage at the pro level, which is a point in his favor. Overall, he’s good enough in both areas that he could develop into a starter, but nothing about him is special, so his most optimistic ceiling remains at a slightly-above-average tight end.
10. Trevon Wesco, West Virginia
Wesco is this year’s basketball player-turned tight end. He’s a great athlete, but only started for a year at West Virginia, and didn’t put up great numbers in the process. He has an aggressive play style, which can help in the run game but will often find himself out of position or on his back when trying to take out defenders. He’s a big threat with the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to go over the middle and get the ball. He’s a project, but a smart coach can find a way to channel that athleticism and aggression into an effective football player, even if it will take a year or two.